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Fort McMurray and area under Extreme Cold Warning

PHOTO. The La Loche Winter Trail MYMCMURRAY/File Photo.

FORT MCMURRAY (660 NEWS) – The Fort McMurray region is bracing for some bitterly cold temperatures.

On Thursday afternoon, Environment Canada issued an Extreme Cold Warning for the following areas:

  • Lac La Biche Co. near Crow Lake Prov. Park
  • Lac La Biche Co. near Wiau Winefred and Grist Lakes
  • R.M. of Wood Buffalo near Fort MacKay and Wallace Creek
  • R.M. of Wood Buffalo near Fort McMurray and Anzac
  • R.M. of Wood Buffalo near Gipsy Lake and Whitemud Falls
  • R.M. of Wood Buffalo near Grand Rapids Wildland Prov. Park
  • R.M. of Wood Buffalo near Janvier South and Conklin
  • R.M. of Wood Buffalo near Mariana Lake
  • R.M. of Wood Buffalo near Stony Mtn Prov. Park and Engstrom Lake

 

This blast of Winter is expected to bring wind chills ranging from -39 and -42 between Thursday night and Friday morning.

Friday’s high is forecast at -28, but the wind chill will make it feel about 10 degrees cooler. The weekend highs will be in the low -30’s, with the temperature dropping to the low -40’s overnight.

The deep freeze is expected to last until mid-next week. There is no snow in the forecast, at least for the next few days.

Environment Canada warns that frost bite can happen in minutes when temperatures are this cold. They advise to monitor for the following symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain/weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes.

Pet owners are also reminded not to leave pets outside.